A 28-year-old man from North Battleford is facing several criminal charges after allegedly assaulting an RCMP officer and resisting arrest during a confrontation last week.
According to Saskatchewan RCMP, the incident occurred on April 22 around 5 p.m. when a member of the North Battleford Crime Reduction Team stopped a cyclist riding without a helmet — a violation of municipal bylaws.
During the interaction, police say the man, later identified as Riley Bjerkness, produced two knives from his pocket, handed them to the officer, and then attempted to flee the scene. The officer prevented him from leaving, prompting Bjerkness to allegedly assault and threaten the officer while resisting arrest.
As the officer attempted to take Bjerkness into custody, a second man approached and tried to take items belonging to Bjerkness. Additional officers arrived on scene, and both men were arrested.
Further investigation revealed Bjerkness was the subject of a Canada-wide warrant for parole violation. Police say he was also found in possession of approximately 19 grams of methamphetamine, a third knife, and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
Bjerkness is charged with:
-
Assaulting a peace officer;
-
Resisting or obstructing a peace officer;
-
Uttering threats;
-
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and
-
Possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine.
He appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on April 23
The second man, 43-year-old Brendan Isaacs, also from North Battleford, is charged with two counts of resisting or obstructing a peace officer. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 2